Personal Chef Anyone???

I have always thought that a personal chef would be ideal for my family! We are busy, active and sometimes rarely home long enough to do anything but order in (or out). So here are some things to help you determine if it is a good idea for your family...

Top 5 Reasons to Use a Personal Chef

1. Why go out! - Knowing what is in your food helps us to make healthier choices
2. Hectic Lifestyle - between work, sports, gym, play dates, friends, family, and school who really wants to be in the kitchen all day?
3. A very special occasion - Enjoy your anniversary in a romantic way by staying home and getting a little privacy! (just one example - others would be engagement, birthday, date)
4. You are not very good in the kitchen - Lets face it - you burn WATER! Toast?? Lets just say you have the fire dept on speed dial!
5. Looking for a healthier diet - Personal chefs provide balanced meals that are healthy, nutritional and fresh!

What to Expect From Your Personal Chef

• In home consultation for dietary and personal preferences
• Shopping, your Chef will do all the shopping for needed ingredients
• All the cooking (of course)
• If they are pre making the meals for the week they will package, label and freeze/refrigerate all dishes
• THEY WILL CLEAN THE KITCHEN!!! - (best part in my opinion!)

BUT HOW MUCH??

On average a personal chef will charge 50-85 dollars per hour, the price of course depends on your needs and how much work will go into the menu, cooking and time on site.

Where Do I Get Started??

Chef Dan Leff is an excellent option in the Bay Area!

Chef Dan provides many services at a GREAT price! He is very in tune with the seasonal products (that as a health conscious society) we crave!

Check him out and tell him I sent you!

Thanks for reading and happy eating!!!

First comes wedding then comes BABY PLANNER...??

Calling all soon to be and planning to be moms and dads. While many countries outside of the US provide baby planning services, nannies, and maids that do anything from running errands to meal planning to laundry, what is an ambitious mom in the US to do??!!

HIRE A BABY PLANNER (assistant to mom to be if you will..)
What does a baby planner do you ask?

• Baby shower coordinating
• Meal planning
• Arrangingthe nursery
• Send out birth announcements
• Baby proof your home
• Schedule appointments
• Baby bring home shopping list (Do you REALLY need 3 baby changing tables??)
• Among other things

These services range from $100 to $600 or more. For a working mom myself I can say that these services are priceless! Who wants to worry about baby proofing the house or who is going to coordinate the baby shower?? You are too busy for that, plus if this is your first baby I am sure you want to enjoy the experience and relax.

Suggest to out of town grandparents that this would be a wonderful gift. Of course they cannot replace them - but it WILL help!

Happy Planning!

Thanking...

Thank Your People!
I recently read an article about how to thank your speakers or entertainers in today's cost-conscious climate, and I have to say, most of the suggestions were things you should be doing for your speakers anyway!

Here were a few suggestions

• Give them a set of DVDs documenting the event
• Giving speakers time to network
• Give them a green room and access to their fave snack and drinks (non-alcholic of course)

I think that all of these should be included in the "Speakers Package" and I believe some speakers call for it (Except maybe the snacks and drinks might seem a little diva-ish).

Here was their (in my opinion) innovative suggestion

• Instead of lavish gift bags (you know the ones with cameras and name brand sunglasses) use those dollars to donate to a great local cause in their name!
• Send a certificate and letter of appreciation to the speaker.

At a time when the economy is slow and people are struggling think about the non profits that are truly missing out! We pay our speakers good money and lets face it, they usually re gift most of the stuff in the gift bags anyway right??

Budget Alert!!!

Dont skrimp on the lighting! Lighting can hide unsightly areas and accentuate beautiful areas! Lighting can change the entire feel of your room!

Hot Trend...

Wine tasting fundraisers - Affordable, refreshing and not at all snootie!

Check THIS out -

Got a kids party? Play Karaoke chairs! Instead of playing music use a karaoke machine and use kids to provide the music. If you dont have a Karaoke machine pop in a CD and let the kids sing along with a toy "mike". (Don't forget the video camera!)

Quote of the Day:

Small Actions = BIG Results!!

Thanks for reading!

May 2009 Newsletter

Dates to Remember:

• May 10 - HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!
• May 16 - Ghiradelli Wine Fest
• May 24 - Carnival - SF

Things to Read:

• Pinnochio - Carlo Colladi
• Naturally Skinny: Unleash your skinny girl and free yourself from a lifetime of dieting - Bethenny Frankel
• Resilience - Reflections on the burdens and gifts of facing life's adversities - Elizabeth Edwards

Websites to See:

• www.modernbridal.com
• www.lulujewels.com
• www.thursdayreferralsplus.com
• www.onebrick.org

Things to Do:

• May 19, 2009 Dancing with your local stars
• May 30 - 31, 2009 Maker Faire

Happy Mothers Day!!

This month we dedicate to all moms for their thoughtfulness, warmth, and unconditional love!

Thanks for reading!!